
Article 1 
A Committee of Contributors (CoC) for the European Union military operation to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast (Atalanta) is hereby established. Its terms of reference are laid down in the European Council Conclusions of Nice of December 2000 and those of Brussels of October 2002.
Article 2 

1. The CoC members shall be as follows:
— representatives of all Member States,
— representatives of third States participating in the Operation and providing significant military contributions, as referred to in the Annex.
2. The EU Operation Commander, the Director-General of the European Union Military Staff, or their representatives and representatives of the Commission shall attend the CoC meetings.
3. Third persons may be invited for relevant parts of the discussion, as appropriate.
Article 3 
Without prejudice to the prerogatives of the Presidency, the CoC shall be chaired by the Secretary-General/High Representative or his representative in close consultation with the Presidency and the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC) or his representative.
Article 4 

1. The CoC shall be convened by the Chair on a regular basis. Where circumstances require, emergency meetings may be convened on the Chair’s initiative, or at the request of a member.
2. The Chair shall circulate in advance a provisional agenda and documents relating to the meeting. A summary of the meeting shall be circulated after each meeting.
Article 5 

1. Except as provided in paragraph 3 and without prejudice to the competencies of the PSC and the responsibilities of the EU Operation Commander,
— unanimity of the representatives of States contributing to the Operation shall be required for the CoC to take decisions on the day-to-day management of the Operation,
— unanimity of the CoC members shall be required for the CoC to make recommendations on possible adjustments to operational planning, including possible adjustments to objectives.The abstention of a member shall not preclude unanimity.
2. The Chair shall establish that the majority of the representatives of States entitled to take part in the deliberations is present.
3. All procedural questions shall be settled by the simple majority of the members present at the meeting.
4. Denmark shall not take part in any decision of the CoC.
Article 6 

1. The Council Security Regulations shall apply to the meetings and proceedings of the CoC. In particular, representatives in the CoC shall possess adequate security clearance.
2. The deliberations of the CoC shall be covered by the obligation of professional secrecy, except insofar as the CoC unanimously decides otherwise.
Article 7 
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
ANNEX

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